The United States government has unveiled a new immigration policy requiring Nigerian travellers and citizens of 37 other countries to pay visa bonds before being granted US visitor visas, a move that will compel applicants to provide significant financial guarantees.
The policy, announced on Wednesday by the US
Department of State, will affect applicants
seeking B1/B2 visas for business and tourism
purposes. For Nigerians, the measure is
scheduled to take effect from January 21, 2026.
Under the new arrangement, selected visa
applicants from the affected countries will be
required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or
$15,000, depending on the outcome of an
assessment carried out during their visa
interview.
US authorities explained that the initiative forms
part of broader efforts to strengthen compliance
with immigration laws while still allowing
legitimate travel. However, the development is
expected to generate concern in countries
impacted by the policy, particularly Nigeria.
The visa bond requirement is being implemented
under Section 221(g)(3) of the US Immigration
and Nationality Act, a provision designed to
address visa overstays, especially from countries
with historically higher overstay rates.
In addition to Nigeria, several African countries
are included on the list, such as Benin, Togo,
Senegal, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Angola, and
Zambia, alongside others across Asia, the
Caribbean, and Latin America.
The US State Department clarified that the bond
requirement applies regardless of where an
applicant submits their visa request, meaning
Nigerians applying from outside the country will
also be subject to the rule.
Applicants asked to post a bond must complete
Department of Homeland Security Form I-352
(Immigration Bond) and make payments solely
through the US Treasury’s official Pay.gov
platform. Authorities warned against using third-
party websites, stressing that payments made
outside official channels will not be recognised or
refunded. They also emphasised that payment of
a visa bond does not guarantee visa approval.
The policy further imposes travel restrictions,
requiring affected visa holders to enter and exit
the United States only through three designated
airports:
* John F. Kennedy International Airport (New
York)
* Washington Dulles International Airport
(Virginia)
* Boston Logan International Airport
(Massachusetts)
US officials cautioned that failure to comply with
the approved ports of entry could result in denial
of admission, noting that improperly documented
departures may trigger penalties under the bond
agreement.
According to the State Department, visa bonds
will be automatically cancelled and refunded if
travellers leave the US on or before their
authorised stay expires, do not travel before the
visa validity period ends, or are denied entry
upon arrival.
However, overstaying, failing to depart, or
attempting to alter immigration status, including
applying for asylum could lead to a bond
violation. The US Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) has been mandated to take
enforcement action in such cases.
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